Starz’s Run the World will reportedly be without one of its four main cast members in season 2 because a COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
According to Deadline, Andrea Bordeaux will not return to the series in its second season after having issues with Lionsgate Television’s new coronavirus protocols. The studio has made it mandatory for everyone working in their Zone A productions be fully vaccinated.
Deadline reports that Lionsgate met with Bordeaux about her concerns and tried to address them, but neither party could come to a resolution, leaving Bordeaux with her decision to leave the series. Deadline states that she is is expected to make a statement about her decision. Her role will also not be recast, leaving questions as to how the series will address the void she’ll leave behind.
1. Lionsgate isn't the only studio imposing mandatory mandates; many studios in Hollywood are opting to make mandatory regulations, which have prompted several actors to leave their series if they did not want to be vaccinated.
Two cases of actors either leaving or having difficulties with coronavirus mandates include former 9-1-1 star Rockmond Dunbar, who left the series over religious and medical reasons after 20th Television’s new protocols. In a statement, he wrote, “As a man that walks in faith, I look forward to what the future holds.”
“I have enjoyed the last 5 seasons with this wonderful cast and crew and will cherish the time I’ve been blessed to spend with this series and wish everyone involved nothing but the best,” he continued.
Letitia Wright’s prior concerns about the vaccination also allegedly caused problems on the Black Panther 2 set, with a rumor that she spread anti-vaccination rhetoric on the set. Wright denied the rumor in an online statement, saying it was “completely untrue.”
“It saddens me to have to address the reports published by The Hollywood Reporter on October 6th 2021,” she wrote. “The report spoke about my conduct on the set of Black Panther 2. I honestly assert that this was completely untrue. Anyone who knows me or has worked with me, knows that I work incredibly hard at my craft & my main focus is always to do the work that is impactful and inspiring. That has been & will continue to be my only focus.”
However, her issues with vaccination was thought to have posed a potential problem for the continuation of production, since Wright, who was in London recovering from an injury sustained on set, would presumably need to be vaccinated before returning to the U.S. to continue work.
2. 'Run The World' is set to return later this year
The series stars Amber Stevens West, Bresha Webb and Corbin Reed as its leads, as well as Tosin Morohunfola, Stephen Bishop and Nick Sagar.
The official description: Run the World follows a group of smart, funny, and vibrant thirty-something Black women – fiercely loyal best friends – who live, work and play in Harlem. As they strive for world domination, they each navigate career highs and lows, hookups and heartbreaks that causes them to re-evaluate who they are and where they are going. At its core, it’s an authentic and unapologetic show about enviable friendship and not only surviving – but thriving together.
The series was created by Leigh Davenport and Yvette Lee Bowser was the showrunner for the first season. Rachelle Williams will showrun season 2.
Run the World is produced by Lionsgate Television.
